Euro holds firm as traders assess geopolitical risks, interest rate outlook

EUR/USD holds modest gains as a softer US Dollar offers support.
US-Iran tensions revive energy-driven inflation risks.
Upcoming inflation data could shape the ECB's and the Fed's next policy moves.

Vishal Chaturvedi FXStreet

EUR/USD holds modest gains on Thursday, supported by some softness in the US Dollar (USD) as markets assess renewed hostilities in the Middle East. At the time of writing, the pair trades around 1.1444, up 0.25% on the day.

The latest escalation between the United States (US) and Iran has failed to provide a strong boost to the US Dollar. At the same time, downside in the Greenback has remained limited, reflecting market uncertainty over whether the interim peace agreement between Washington and Tehran will hold or collapse.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of six major currencies, trades around 100.90 after touching an intraday low of 100.79.

Meanwhile, energy-driven inflation risks are back at the forefront as Oil prices rebound on growing security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that handles about 20% of global Oil flows.

As a result, traders are increasingly expecting central banks to tighten monetary policy. Markets anticipate another European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate hike later this year, while the CME FedWatch Tool shows a 63% probability of a Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike at the September meeting.

Minutes from both the ECB's and the Fed's June meetings showed policymakers remained concerned about upside risks to inflation. Traders will closely watch next week's inflation data from both sides of the Atlantic as they look for fresh clues on the next policy moves.

New York Fed President John Williams said on Thursday, "Inflation is still far too high," adding that the Fed is "actively debating scenarios around inflation" and remains committed to bringing inflation back to its 2% target.

Inflation FAQs

What is inflation?

Inflation measures the rise in the price of a representative basket of goods and services. Headline inflation is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core inflation excludes more volatile elements such as food and fuel which can fluctuate because of geopolitical and seasonal factors. Core inflation is the figure economists focus on and is the level targeted by central banks, which are mandated to keep inflation at a manageable level, usually around 2%.

What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in prices of a basket of goods and services over a period of time. It is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core CPI is the figure targeted by central banks as it excludes volatile food and fuel inputs. When Core CPI rises above 2% it usually results in higher interest rates and vice versa when it falls below 2%. Since higher interest rates are positive for a currency, higher inflation usually results in a stronger currency. The opposite is true when inflation falls.

What is the impact of inflation on foreign exchange?

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, high inflation in a country pushes up the value of its currency and vice versa for lower inflation. This is because the central bank will normally raise interest rates to combat the higher inflation, which attract more global capital inflows from investors looking for a lucrative place to park their money.

How does inflation influence the price of Gold?

Formerly, Gold was the asset investors turned to in times of high inflation because it preserved its value, and whilst investors will often still buy Gold for its safe-haven properties in times of extreme market turmoil, this is not the case most of the time. This is because when inflation is high, central banks will put up interest rates to combat it. Higher interest rates are negative for Gold because they increase the opportunity-cost of holding Gold vis-a-vis an interest-bearing asset or placing the money in a cash deposit account. On the flipside, lower inflation tends to be positive for Gold as it brings interest rates down, making the bright metal a more viable investment alternative.

Author

Vishal Chaturvedi

FXStreet

I am a macro-focused research analyst with over four years of experience covering forex and commodities market. I enjoy breaking down complex economic trends and turning them into clear, actionable insights that help traders stay ahead of the curve.

AUD/USD: Recovery appears capped by 0.7000

AUD/USD has reversed a multi-day positive streak, briefly revisiting the 0.6940 region before trimming part of those gains to end the day modestly on the back foot. The better tone in the Greenback has kept the pair under pressure, which has so far met decent contention in the vicinity of the 0.6900 zone. Moving forward, the Melbourne Institute’s Consumer Inflation Expectations is next on tap in Oz.

USD/JPY holds firm near 158.50 ahead of Fed Minutes

USD/JPY hangs close to a one-and-a-half-week high near 158.50 in the Asian session on Wednesday, with bulls now awaiting a move beyond the 200-day SMA hurdle before positioning for further gains ahead of the FOMC Minutes. Meanwhile, a fresh leg up in US bond yields revives US Dollar demand amid geopolitical uncertainties, boosting the pair amid dovish BoJ commentary.

Gold trims losses, back above $4,100

Gold now manages to regain some balance, returning to the area above the key $4,100 mark per troy ounce following the closing bell in Europe on Wednesday. The yellow metal’s sharp pullback comes in tandem with marked gains in the US Dollar and a marked bounce in US Treasury yields across the curve.

Bitcoin vs Gold: BTC and XAU fall amid macro headwinds, but Ray Dalio still prefers Gold

Bitcoin (BTC) edges lower on Wednesday, trading near $83,000. The broader correction in the cryptocurrency market can be attributed to heavily leveraged long liquidations, macro and geopolitical pressure reducing risk appetite. Gold (XAU/USD), similarly, remains in bearish hands as it tests short-term support at $4,100.

Fed Minutes: Officials saw inflation risks worsening before September hike

All participants at the Federal Reserve's (Fed) September 15–16 meeting supported the 25-basis-point rate increase, while most judged that another hike would probably be appropriate by the end of the year. The Minutes show policymakers increasingly focused on upside inflation risks, a resilient economy and the possibility that strong AI investment could add to demand pressures.

The UK 30-year gilt just hit a 1998 high. Is that good or bad for the British Pound?

The yield on the UK's 30-year government bond, or gilt, went through 6% on October 1 for the first time since early 1998, and on Monday the Pound was at its strongest against the Euro since June 2025. The gilt market's 28-year high is mostly someone else's. Since early May, the 30-year gilt yield has risen about 0.15 of a percentage point and the US 30-year about 0.7.